1. Platonic love in ‘Othello’
Sororal and fraternal love
Examine the view that “Shakespeare presents romantic love as inferior to sororal [and/or fraternal] love”.

2. Romantic love – what makes romantic love in ‘Othello’ disastrous?
Othello’s harmatia (tragic flaw) of sexual jealousy makes him vulnerable to manipulation, causing his downfall and, ultimately, the tragic conclusion
Are we convinced by the romance between Othello and Desdemona anyway? Think back to AS – what might make their love affair unconvincing?
The expectations of Jacobean society are against them – consider paternal expectations on Desdemona’s marriage, the racist stereotyping of the time, Desdemona’s disobedience… All pointing towards the fact that, in this context, dutiful love superseded romantic love.

3. Fraternal or ‘brotherly’ love (note: does not literally have to be between brothers)

4. Fraternal love in 3:3
In this, the pivotal scene of ‘Othello’ (often also referred to as the temptation scene) there are numerous declarations of “love” between Othello and Iago.
Iago frequently implies that he is reluctant to share what he knows, but only acts out of love for Othello “I humbly do beseech you of your pardon/ For too much loving you”. He even warns Othello against jealousy “It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock/ The meat it feeds on”.
Perhaps the most significant moment in the presentation of fraternal love in this scene is shown through stagecraft in the moment when Othello kneels to Iago (succumbing to his deception) and then both characters kneel onstage together in an ironic parody of the kneeling of a couple in a marriage ceremony. This symbolises Othello’s switching allegiance – he now trusts Iago above all others, including his wife.
Each pledges allegiance to the other in this scene: Othello (L215) “I am bound to thee for ever” and later Iago echoes his sentiment (L480) “I am your own for ever”. The repeated phrase “for ever” evoking a sense of permanence again echoes the promises made at marriage – promises Othello should be honouring to Desdemona. Could we then argue, therefore, that fraternal love is triumphing over romantic love in this scene?
What contextual factors do you think might influence Othello’s switching loyalty? How might modern audiences respond to his belief in Iago over his wife?

5. Fraternal love: the reality
Shakespeare’s heavy use of dramatic irony throughout the play ensures that the audience does not believe in the friendship between Othello and Iago: Iago frequently reveals his “monstrous” plans in soliloquy.
Iago’s pursuit of Othello is motivated by his own jealousy and resentment of Cassio’s promotion over him. He also alleges that “It is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets/ [Othello] has done [his] office”.
Some critics argue that Iago’s relentless manipulation of Othello and destruction of his marriage is actually motivated by his own homosexual love for the general. He certainly seems to take great pleasure in preventing Othello from enjoying marital happiness, and he expresses his love for Othello frequently and effusively.
Collapse of fraternal love in 5:2 (at last!): Othello stabs Iago in a dramatic final confrontation between them – the alliance between them is over (although, unfortunately, he is merely “wounded”)

6. Sororal love in 5:2
Emilia’s reactions to Desdemona’s dying moments reflect her love and loyalty towards Desdemona: repetition of terms of endearment “sweet”, exclamations, use of possessive “my lady”. She later speaks of Desdemona in superlatives and hyperbolic tones reflecting her absolute love for her mistress: “thou hast killed the sweetest innocent/ That e’er did lift up eye”
She staunchly defends Desdemona, using contrasting heaven and hell imagery to describe Desdemona and Othello “O, the more angel she/ And you the blacker devil!” The religious references here continue the theme of judgement which began with Othello’s belief in the “sacrifice” of Desdemona’s death and his inquiries after her soul. She boldly accuses Othello of “belying” Desdemona, using direct address and calling him “rash as fire to say/ That she was false. O, she was heavenly true!” (Consider how brave this would be given the patriarchal context and social hierarchy of the time)
At this point, it is at last confirmed that Emilia was not aware of Iago’s part in the besmirching of Desdemona’s character (turning her “virtue into pitch”) and manipulation of Othello – her shocked repetition of “my husband?” makes this clear - therefore she has been true/loyal to Desdemona all along and the stealing of the handkerchief was a mistake rather than a betrayal.
Emilia sacrifices her own life and betrays her husband in order to protect Desdemona’s reputation in a selfless act of devotion. She says she will “speak liberal as the north” and confesses her unknowing role in the deception. For this, she is stabbed by Iago.
Upon her death, Emilia requests to be lain by Desdemona’s side, much like Paris in the final scene of Romeo and Juliet, who wishes to be lain beside Juliet, his love.

7. Is sororal love therefore the only example of enduring love in the play?
What would be your main arguments in favour of this statement?
Do any other types of love survive?
Can we argue that romantic love survives, despite the tragic ending?

8. Counter argument? Can we argue that love does survive, despite the tragic ending?
As Emilia points out “villainy hath made mocks with love” – suggesting Iago is to blame for their breakdown in their love.
In her dying breath, Desdemona defends Othello saying her death was the fault of “[she] herself”
Othello “dies upon a kiss” – again echoing the tragic romantic ending of Romeo and Juliet
Othello requests that he is spoken of “one that loved not wisely but too well”, implying that all of his actions arose out of love. In regretful tones, he speaks of Desdemona as “a pearl… richer than all his tribe”, showing his enduring love for her.